The Mnet Asian Music Awards (commonly abbreviated as MAMA), is one of the major K-pop music awarding ceremonies being held annually, involving the participation of some of the most well-known actors and idols, by Mnet Media. As one of the most important events in the South Korean music industry, it has been attended by many popular and most successful K-Pop acts such as Psy, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Big Bang, Girls' Generation, 2NE1 and other artists musically active in South Korea.
History
The awards began in 1999 under the name "M.net KM Music Festival" (MKMF), till 2008.[1]
In 2009, the award was changed to "M.net Asian Music Awards". This marked the new change in concept and the way they will handle how people may vote for which artist wins the award. The 2009 MAMA's was broadcast live in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia through Channel V International. The special main event is the "Global Artist Award." In addition, a trot award will be added to the genre along with other pop music awards.
For the first time, the 2010 M.net Asian Music Festival was held outside of South Korea. For the 12th annual event, it was held at the Venetian Resort Macao in Macao, China airing live in many countries. BoA won the "Best Female Solo Award" but was not present to accept the award due to SM Entertainment's (BoA's music agency) controversies with Mnet Media. The award presentation was not broadcast. In addition, CN Blue who won "Best New Male Group Award", 2AM, who won "Best Vocal Performance by a Group", and 2AM's Jo Kwon and Ga In, who won "Best Collaboration" were also not broadcast due to attendance.[2]
In 2009, SM Entertainment and Inwoo Production boycotted the 2009 MAMA event on 21 November, hence none of their artists attended the event. Inwoo Production representing trot singers Jang Yoon-jeong and Park Hyun-bin, announced the boycott and questioned the fairness of the awards ceremony. SM Entertainment stated that they have reservation regarding the standard of fairness and criteria used in their selections, citing that Girls' Generation had topped a music chart for nine consecutive weeks but was never placed first place on their show and only debut on their charts a month after the album was released. They also asked that their artists be removed from a mobile poll which requires participants to pay a fee in order to vote saying they "do not want to see fans suffer any damage from the poll which has commercial intentions".[4]
In 2010, Rain, MBLAQ, 2AM, Beast, T-ara, Davichi[7]4minute, Kara, Super Junior, Girls' Generation,[8]Wheesung, BoA, After School, Son Dambi,[9]Lee Hyori, CN Blue,[10]G.NA, and Rainbow who were all nominated did not attend the 2010 MAMA event in Macau, the first time it was held overseas. Many cited scheduling conflicts and that the live broadcast of MAMA on November 28 clashed with the live weekly broadcast of SBS's music show Inkigayo. Core Contents Media stated that T-ara and Davichi will not be attending due to scheduling conflicts. FNC announced that CN Blue will not attend due to individual activities despite being nominated for "Rookie of the Year", "Best Band Performance" and the "Shilla Duty Free Asian Wave" award. Jung Yong Hwa of CN Blue is also one of the three MCs for Inkigayo and member Kang Min Hyuk will be taking part in a SBS upcoming drama.[11]J. Tune Entertainment and Pledis Entertainment also stated that their artists would not be attending.
Best Male Group Dance Performance (베스트 댄스 퍼포먼스 (남자 그룹))
Best Female Group Dance Performance (베스트 댄스 퍼포먼스 (여자 그룹))
Best Solo Vocal Performance (베스트 보컬 퍼포먼스 (솔로))
Best Group Vocal Performance (베스트 보컬 퍼포먼스 (그룹))
Best Collaboration (베스트 콜라보레이션)
Best Digital Single (베스트 디지털 싱글)
Best Band Performance (베스트 밴드 퍼포먼스)
Best Rap Performance (베스트 랩 퍼포먼스)
Ballad award (not awarded in 2010)
R&B award (not awarded in 2010)
House & electronic award (not awarded in 2010)
Trot award (not awarded in 2010)
Best OST award (not awarded in 2010)
Global Awards
Best Global Group – Male
Best Global Group – Female
Other awards
Best International Artist (베스트 인터내셔널 아티스트상)
Best Asian Artist (베스트 아시아 아티스트상)
Best Music Video (뮤직비디오 작품상)
Shilla Duty Free Asian Wave Award (신라면세점 Asian Wave상)
Defunct Awards
Best Asian Male Group (베스트 아시아 남자 그룹상)
Best Pop Artist (베스트 팝 아티스트상)
Asia New Artist (아시아 뉴 아티스트상)
Producer Award(프로듀서상)
Music Video Director Award(뮤직비디오 감독상)
Choreographer Award (안무상)
Style Award(스타일상)
Performance Award (공연상)
Discovery of the Year (올해의 발견)
Adult Music Award(성인 음악상)
Music Video of the Year (최우수 작품상)
Best Popular Music Video (최고 인기 뮤직비디오 상)
Indie award
Grand Prizes (Daesang)
From 1999 to 2005 the Grand prizes (Daesang) had two awards; Music Video of the Year and Best Popular Music Video. In 2006, the categories were changed to Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Artist of the Year.
The current holders who have won the most awards are Super Junior and TVXQ with 13 awards, 3 of them being grand awards. They are followed by Shinhwa, Big Bang and 2NE1 with 10 awards, Psy and BoA with 7 awards, SG Wannabe with 6 awards.
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